As promised this is a quick breakdown of how channeling energy works with a double-leg takedown. Keep in mind that in order to feel the energy you have to mentally be in a calm place. If you are too angry or too afraid you won’t be able to feel your opponent.
There is nothing magical or mystical about energy control. It’s simply a matter of understanding what you are feeling. This is why I refer to all things internal martial arts as a language that you have to learn. Once you learn this language you can ask questions or respond to your opponent’s questions.
Sensitivity is Sensitivity is Sensitivity
In Wing Chun this type of thing is called asking hands. Meaning that you using your hands to get a sense of what your opponent is trying to do. Ultimately it’s really all the same thing. As they say, there is nothing new under the sun.
Ultimately regardless if it’s Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Jujitsu, or any other martial art that focuses on dealing with energy and pressure it’s all the same under the sun.
What’s unique to us here at Enter Shaolin is our Ngo Dac Na system. If you don’t know our acronyms aren’t just nifty sayings, there are deep meanings within each one of them.
What is so genius about them and Sifu Phu for that matter, is the acronyms help a person understand internal martial arts at a deeper level without sounding all fortune cookie-like.
I like to say that our Ngo Dac Na system really does bridge the eastern world to the western world in a way that makes it easier for us westerners to understand.
A Whole New World
Once you begin to experiment with channeling energy you will begin to really understand why strength and size don’t matter.
I mean it does matter, but the only real power it has is the power you give it. the hardest part of learning all this is believing that you too can gain control of a person via channeling energy. The truth is if you don’t believe you can, then you can’t. If you believe you can, with the right training you certainly can.
It comes down to you. The Chinese say that the mind moves the Qi. What this means is your ability to start channeling energy first starts in your mind. Then after you start to mentally manifest the ability you will start to *feel it in the physical world as well.
The crazy part is you always had the ability to feel the energy and use it, however until you start learning how to cultivate your Chi it will stay a mystery to you.
How do you cultivate your Qi?
Good question, with a easy answer. Simply start practicing Tai Chi and Qigong regularly. Over time your body will begin to learn what it feels like to be a C.O.P. Also, by practicing these things you will also develop really good breath control.
While The mind moves your qi in whatever direction you command it. Your breath is like the engine. Having good breath control and mental focus you can some pretty amazing things like channeling energy for instance.
To Wrap This Up
SO if you are already a member of Enter Shaolin simply go into the training vault and start learning the exercises in the Qigong section. It wouldn’t hurt to start your Tai Chi training as well.
If you’re not a member yet click the banner below this and get our free introductory course.
In either case, be sure to take a moment and leave us a comment. We love to hear from you.
So with your stomach being the first point in which you make contact with the opponent, would you consider this to be the most important point of contact? (vs getting your arms in place)
If you get 10 comments would you consider extending this to a single leg takedown attempt? (Maybe turn it into a small series?)
lol, I would consider it. That is totally dependent upon the person who is trying to do the takedown. If he/she shoots lower down, then your stomach most likely won’t be in position for that. Depending on where you end up, you could have different contact points. Use this as a starting point. All of the contact points are important because the more contact you have the easier it is for you to *feel what they are trying to do to you.
As far as any one point being more important than another, they are all equally important in the sense that each point helps you feel what your next move should be.
In fact, a good practice might be having your partner try and take double leg you from different heights and see how you can apply this to that scenario. Personally most people who have come in on me, end up near my upper stomach, chest area by default. I am short guy.
Awesome, Awesome lesson!
Thank you Sifu!
You are welcome! I am glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks, an interesting approach. I trust that being rooted is a major part of the process ?
Yes! 🙂
So you are transferring the energy from one point to another? Are you trying to feed the higher area of pressure to a point that has a lower pressure?
Indeed, brother!
Great Sifu Larry!Thanks!
You’re welcome!
Great breakdown thank you!
Finally my Panda Express training will pay off. I’ve been developing a Buddha belly (MCMC) for years, now we need a seminar to test the technique. ????
Kidding aside, I appreciate the breakdown. Techniques demonstrated by sifus look easy until students (like me) try them and find many ways to do it wrong.
You’re welcome, I agree we need to do some seminars.
Thanks for sharing. MCMC, right?
Indeed!
The concept of going into the opponent as applied to being attacked appears very solid. This is a great example to demonstrate this principle.
Thanks.
You’re welcome!
Thanks for sharing Sifu Larry. Props to Sije as well!
You’re welcome!
thank you for taking time for us.
You are most welcomed!